How to Print Text Messages from an iPhone

By: Jay Walsh
November 17, 2021 at 11:17 AM


In 2021 there are currently over 1 billion active iPhone users worldwide.

Like yourself, many iPhone users in different countries around the globe often have a need to print out text messages from their iOS device.

Whether your specific need is to print iPhone text messages for business, court, legal, family, or personal reasons, today’s tutorial will walk you through the steps on how to print iPhone text messages on any Windows or Mac computer.

You can then email the printed copy of your iPhone text messages to anyone or provide a digital copy to colleagues or friends.

When you print iPhone text messages and iMessages, the PDF of your messages also includes any photo attachments that are part of those conversations.

Print Text Messages from iPhone - Compatibility

You can print iPhone text messages from any of the following models:

iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone SE 2020, iPhone 11, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone SE, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, and the original first generation iPhone.

What kind of computer do I need to print iPhone text messages?

Printing iPhone text messages can be done on both Windows and Mac computers.

Do I need to back up my iPhone to print text messages?

Yes, an iPhone backup on your computer is required in order to print text messages.

If you are a Mac user running macOS Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina, you back up your iOS device via the Finder.

If you are a Windows user (or a Mac user running macOS Mojave or earlier) you back up via iTunes on your computer.

What software do I need to print iPhone text messages?

In order to print out text messages and iMessages from your iPhone as a PDF, you’ll need the desktop software program Decipher TextMessage.

The program runs on your computer and gives any iPhone user the instant ability to print iPhone text messages in PDF format including any photo attachments.

How to print text messages from iPhone

Follow these specific steps to print text messages from an iPhone

  1. Back up your iPhone on your computer.

  2. Open Decipher TextMessage.

  3. Select your iPhone.

  4. Pick a contact that has iPhone text messages that you need printed out.

  5. Choose “Export Current Conversation PDF.”

  6. Double-click to open the PDF and select “Print” to print the iPhone text messages.


Download Decipher Text Message

Guide to print iPhone text messages

In order to print text messages from an iPhone, the first thing you need to do is to make a backup your iPhone on your computer.

As we mentioned previously, if you are using a Mac computer running macOS Catalina, Big Sur, or Monterey, you no longer need iTunes and you can make a backup via the Finder. For Windows users and and all other Mac users you still use iTunes to back up your device.

With your iPhone plugged into your PC or Mac, choose the option to "Back Up Now"


Once the backup of your iPhone completes, when you open Decipher TextMessage on your PC or Mac, you will then see your iOS device in the left-hand column of the software.


Select your iPhone and all your text message contacts will appear in the middle column of the program window.


Choose any contact and you'll see the text messages with that individual appear in the far-right column.


Select the "Export" option and choose "Current Conversation PDF" to save the text messages from your iPhone to your computer in a PDF document.


Locate the saved PDF on your computer and double-click on the PDF file. You can now select "Print" to print the iPhone text messages on your PC or Mac.

Here's an example of what your iPhone text messages look like when you export and print them out as a PDF file. Note how the time stamp and contact info is displayed on every single message! This is a helpful feature unique to Decipher TextMessage.

Helpful features when you print iPhone text messages with Decipher TextMessage

View our YouTube video on how to print iPhone text messages

Our tutorial video will be helpful for any iPhone user that wants to print text messages or iMessages. Simply follow along at the video link below.

Do you need further assistance to print out your iPhone text messages?

That wraps up today's tutorial on how to print out iPhone text messages and iMessages.

If you have any questions or need help with printing your text messages, we're happy to assist. Contact us via our Decipher Tools support page and one of our team in San Francisco or Phoenix will get back to you via email.

You can also read product testimonials from customers on our reviews page.

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